As was mentioned at the last WSC general meeting by Brian Simonseth the Stillaguamish Implementation Review Committee (SIRC) is trying to get the money they need to from the state to by pass the Steelhead Heaven Slide. We need to get our letter writing going on this. Below is an sample letter that you can use. Just put your senator or representative's name in and your name and address at the bottom. thank you JJ

Dear <Representative or Senator>,

I am writing to urge you to support and insure that matching funds from the Washington State Ecology's Centennial Grant or Salmon Recover Funding Board are provided this year for the Restoration of the Hazel/Steelhead Haven slide on the North Fork of the Stillagaumish.

This single expenditure of money would provide a
dramatic reduction of silt and clay from a manmade
exasperated slide that has in filled spawning beds and pools through out the river down to the clam beds in the estuary. These matching sources would finalize the engineering, design and construction of a log jam that would alter the course of the river for the fish and wildlife populations and bring this stream closer to its pristine pre-disturbance state. Currently the Salmon Recovery Funding Board does not fund engineered
log jams and therefore any influence that you can
provide to change this would be greatly appreciated.

The NF of the Stilly has been written up by Zane Grey for its famed wild Deer Creek steelhead and was one of the first in the nation to go fly fishing only and ultimately to a catch and release for native fish. To further strengthen the arena, the WRIA 5 Watershed is fortunate to have the synergy of an organized local group called Stillaguamish Implementation Review Committee (SIRC) from all relevant Federal, State,local and tribal agencies plus the actual stakeholders made up of Federation of Fly Fishers, stakeholder landowners and environmentalists. SIRC has been involved in the Army Corps of Engineers Ecosystems restoration project since the late 1990s. The Hazel/Steelhead Haven slide project has been identified as the key project necessary for a successful ecosystems restoration strategy. The money was authorized through congress to address these projects in that strategy, but the monies have yet to be appropriated for the Hazel/Steelhead Haven slide.

The key to accessing that money is to assure that we can secure local funding to match the federal monies!

We hope you will support our efforts in the state
legislature to restore this once world renowned fly fishing river back to its one time inspirational character of deep clear pools full of wild fish. The future economic sustainability will only be hardened through the investments we make today reducing the sediment problems in the Stillaguamish.

rich_simms

11-16-2003, 10:30 PM

So how many have sent a letter to their Legislator? Looks like the rain is going to knock the river out for a little while so there's no excuse not get one in has well as review the upcoming rules proposals and write in. Sent mine in and fished before the storm, even mange, to bring a winter brat to the fly, but crackered it.:eek:

flytyer

11-17-2003, 06:38 PM

Rich,

Any idea where the Stilly Tribe and Snohomish County are regarding either signing the grant contract from the feds (which they have both had for 10 years; but which to my knowledge, neither has signed) to work on this slide among other things on the Stilly? Last I heard was that both the tribe and the county were unwilling to put up any of the 6 million needed in local matching dollars the federal grant requires before the fed dollars can be tapped.

marketic

11-17-2003, 09:34 PM

I love that river dearly. With all due respects, however, I'd like to suggest rephrasing one of the sentences in the template letter you suggested.

This sentence I think should be reworked:

..."silt and clay from a manmade exasperated slide that has in filled spawning beds and pools through out the river down to the clam beds in the estuary...."

It can perhaps have a bit more sense and power if phrased in this manner:

...."silt and clay from a slide exacerbated by manmade activites has filled in spawning beds and pools throughout the river, clear down to the clam beds in the estuary...."

Thanks for taking this suggestion in the constructive manner in which it was presented.

Marketic

Doublespey

11-18-2003, 11:44 AM

:)

Brian Simonseth

12-17-2003, 03:53 AM

SIRC and I have working hard on the Hazel Slide. Stilly Tribe and local framer have all got together on this one! I would like to see every one write Oly about this one.

Plunker

12-17-2003, 05:16 AM

Brian,

I am quite ignorant of the issues surrounding the Hazel slide proposals but I have heard rumors on the river of some possible disatisfaction with the local Hazel residents.

I wonder if you could expound upon the residential attitudes and involvement in this project?

Thanks in advance. :)

Brian Simonseth

12-17-2003, 02:19 PM

Two sumers ago we (SIRC & county) meet with most of people that live there. Before the meeting started we ask them if they we in danger. Every one said no; but after the meeting people did't know and ask for more info. The study we had done has every thing. I'll get out soon, I'm new on this thing. Homer

Brian Simonseth

12-17-2003, 08:15 PM

I'm getting copys of the study & article that will be put in Osprey maybe by Sat.

Plunker

12-17-2003, 08:51 PM

Thanks Brian,

I've heard nothing but good things about what you and SIRC have been doing for the Stilly watershed.

Whatever can be done to help get the mud out of the river can only be beneficial to all concerned.

I'll be looking for any more information as it becomes available.

Keep up the good work - Plunk

rich_simms

12-17-2003, 11:13 PM

If you want to write your legislator on this issue, just follow this link, it's easy!

http://www.leg.wa.gov/DistrictFinder/Default.aspx

Brian Simonseth

12-17-2003, 11:40 PM

Hey Holdout, I thought someone had a elec. copy of the study on the slide. If we get that copy up maybe it would help Punker(Who).The article I will have on Friday.

Brian Simonseth

12-21-2003, 12:35 AM

The artcile will be in the Osprey. I can't put it out till then.:smoking

Brian Simonseth

12-22-2003, 05:31 PM

X-mas is here.

The wheels are off. til after the new year. But after that everyone one will see alot more about it. Merry X-Mas

Brian Simonseth

12-23-2003, 10:16 PM

At the next WSC meeting I'm going to have all my papers on the slide. So ask any question. See you there!

Brian Simonseth

01-08-2004, 01:45 AM

There's a lot of work been done in the last week. It looks real good, Buy Feb. 1st. the word will be out!:smokin:

flytyer

01-08-2004, 06:15 PM

Brain,

This is good news, many of us have been waiting for years for something to be done. Thanks for the update, I'll have to take the short drive over to the Stilly and have a look.

Brian Simonseth

02-04-2004, 07:03 PM

WSC 2-4-04
I'll give the lates on the Hazel Slide
See you there!
If any one has question on the slide PM me

rich_simms

02-11-2004, 02:02 PM

Brian, did you get the letter out to Dave for the Steelhead Summit Reps? Also do we need to still send one on to the WSC Membership?

Brian Simonseth

02-11-2004, 02:37 PM

Rich,
Im meeting with the SIRC today, Tracy Drury of Geo-Engineers is going to talk with us (about "Functional Wood in Rivers and Streams). Tonight I'll send you the final letter.

Brian

Brian Simonseth

02-12-2004, 01:58 PM

The meeting with SIRC was great! I'll be sending out a letter for everyone to send to there Senaters look for it 2/13/04